Volatilizing apparatus



2,303,sss

Dec. 1, 1942.

G. W. M KAY VOLATILI Z ING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1940 tubing 18.

Patented Dec. 1, 1942 p t 1 UNITED STATES @ATENT OFFICE.

VOLATILIZING APPARATUS George W. McKay, Portland, Oreg. Application September 17, 1940, Serial No. 357,131

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-492) This invention relates to an apparatus for medicinally treating the upper passages and cavities of the human head. The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will force vaporized medicated liquid or oil intothe upper passages and cavities of the head, and which during such medicinal application will cause the uvula of the patient to rise to a position closing communication between such passageways and the throat.

This and other objects of the invention are set forth in detail in the following description, reference throughout being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan of a nosepiece with portions broken away to show inner construction.

Figure 4 is a plan of the mouthpiece with portions broken away to show inner construction.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the means employed for massaging and treating the ear membranes.

In the drawing, similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral l indicates a cylindrical casing, the base of which seats in groove 3 of base 2, such base forming a bottom closure for the casing. The upper end of the casing is closed by the top 4. Mounted within the casing is a cylindrical heat chamber 5. This chamber is closed both at top and bottom, and the top and bottom thereof are preferably made of relatively heavy heat retentive material.

Connecting through top 4 and with the interior of heat chamber 5 is a T connection 6. Connected with T 6 and residing within chamber 5 is a medicinal holder 1 which holds a medicinal cartridge 8. The holder 1 is provided with a perforate or screen base 8A to allow passage of air from chamber 5 into holder 1. Coupling members [2 and I2 provide a fluid seal between T 6 and chamber 5; and coupling members It and II, rigidly secure the T to top 4. The upper end of the T is provided with a threaded closure 9 providing means for the placement of cartridge 8.

The horizontal connection M of T 6 passes to the exterior of casing l, and at l5 connects with control valve [6. Wheel ll controls the opening and closing of valve It. To the discharge end of the valve is connected one end of flexible A nosepiece I9 is connected to the other end of the tubing. This nosepiece has a removable plug providing access to the interior chamber 2| for cleaning and removal or insertion of gauze.

Mounted within base 2 is an air pump 22 driven by electric motor 23. The discharge connection 24' of the pump connects with pipe 25 which in turn connects with chamber 5 at 26. A relief valve 2'! exterior to the base connects with connection. 24.

Mounted exterior to casingl is a base 33 and a cap 33A, the latter spaced above the former. Extending between the two caps and connecting therewith is a glass tube 35 to receive a colored oil, indicated at 34. Connecting with base 33 from interior of casing! is a pipe 3|, having an inverted U-shapecl liquid trap 31A to prevent escape of the liquidin tube 35. Pipe 3| has an outside connection to which is connected one end of flexible tubing 29, to the other end of the tubing is connected the mouthpiece 28. Mouthpiece 28 has a gauze chamber 30. A pin 28A is providedfor holding the mouthpiece when it is not being used.

An incandescent lamp base 4'4 is mounted within casing I, and threaded therein is lamp 43, and electric connection extending through insulate tubing 46 provide for energizing the lamp. Another electric connection 41 connects with motor 23.

A pipe 31, extending through coupling 38 in top 4, connects chamber 5 with the thermometer 36. Another pipe 40, extending through coupling M connects chamber 5 with the fluid pressure gauge 39.

As previously indicated, the apparatus just described is intended for the treatment of the nasal and upper throat passages and cavities connecting therewith, such as the sinuses, middle ear, eustachian tube, ethmoidal cells, etc. Obviously, in order that a medicinal vapor shall reach those regions, it must be under some degree of pressure; and it is quite as obvious that in order to maintain such pressure in those canals and cavities the passageway to the throat should be closed. Now, we know that when the breath is expelled through the mouth, the uvula or soft palate is elevated to a position closing the throat passage. In treating a patient we take advantage of this action of the uvula in order to force the medicinal vapor into the upper head canals and cavities as aforesaid.

In operation lamp i3 is illuminated. This heats chamber 5 and air therein to a little above body temperature. This will register on thermometer 36. The motor is then started runnin pump 22 and creating a moderate air pressure in chamber 5. The patient inserts nosepiece IS in one nostril. He expels his breath through the mouth two or three times. The valve [6 is opened'to allow vapor to pass from the medicinal holder 1, it being understood that a suitable medicinal charge has already been placed therein. The air pressure in chamber will force air through the perforate bottom 8A of holder 1, through charge 8, T 6, valve I 6, tubing [8, and finally nosepiece l9, and into the upper chamber and cavities of the head. As the vapor is being conducted to the nasal canal, the patient places mouthpiece 28 in his mouth and blows or expels his breath slowly or moderately therethrough. This expelled breath passes through the mouthpiece, tubing 29, base 33, glass tube 35 and out through a small passage I33 in cap 33A. A light colored oil 34 is placed in the bottom of tube 35, and as the breath is being expelled as aforesaid, this oil will bubble up serving as a visible indicator. As the device is completely portable, it is apparent that the liquid 34 might escape through thetube 29, particularly when the mouthpiece is lowered. This possible escape is completely prevented by the trap '3IA, and as the trap is located wholly within the casing I, such trap is protected against possible damage tending to a failure of its designed function. Now it is ob- .vious that as the patient blows through the mouthpiece this action will raise the palate closing the passage to the throat, this will concentrate the vapor, under a moderate pressure, in the head cavities and canals. During such treatment, the attending physician, watches oil 34, its bubbling will indicate that the palate is raised and that the medicinal vapor is being forced to the regions desired. It is to be understood that during this treatment the valve l E is controlled in order to obtain a desired vapor pressure.

Prior to treatment gauze is inserted in chambers 2| and 30 of nosepiece and mouthpiece respectively. This gauze collects secretions from nose and mouth, and after treatment this is removed and the nosepiece and mouthpiece are cleaned and made sterile.

Figure 5 illustrates further use of the apparatus other than described. Herein tubing l8 terminates in a Y-connection, which in turn connects to the two tubings [8a which terminate in nosepieces l9, similar to nosepieces l9, previously described. In practice one nosepiece is placed in a nostril while the other is inserted in the outer ear. The attendant grasps both tubes 18A, one in each hand. He then alternately pinches the tubes to close the bore, one being open and the other closed in such operation. This alternately provides pressure to the inner and outer ear alternately, thus providing a massaging action to the ear membranes.

I claim:

A volatilizing apparatus, including a closed casing, a chamber in the upper portion of the casing, a cartridge carrier removably suspended wholly in the chamber, a pipe forming a continuation of the carrier and having a diameter at least equal to that of the carrier, said pipe'extending throughthe upper end of the casing to permit convenient delivery of a cartridge to the carrier, said pipe having a delivery branch leading through and beyond the casing, means in the casing below the chamber for heating the air in such chamber, a base on which the casing is mounted, means in the base and passing through the casing for delivering air under pressure to the chamber, a pipe extending through the-casing below the chamber, a liquid-charged indicator carried by one end of and in communication with said last mentioned pipe, an exhalation tube connected to and in open communication with the other end of said last mentioned pipe, the indicator being beyond the casing and having an air escape at its upper end, said last mentioned pipe being formed wholly within the casing as a trap against the escape of the liquid of the indicator through the exhalation tube.

GEORGE W. McKAY. 

